Lurene Gower, 89, of Buckhannon, WV went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at her home. She was an active member of The Mount Lebanon United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She was a Trustee and Sunday School teacher. She was also Secretary/treasurer of the Mount Lebanon Cemetery for many years. She graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1964 with a degree in education. She taught school for many years thereafter. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) and the Upshur Co. Retired School Teachers Assoc. Lurene was also a Volunteer at the Senior Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Lurene took great pleasure in cooking and baking for family and friends and was well known for participating in the annual church suppers and Good Friday Bake Sale. People would wait in line for her homemade bread and pies. Lurene loved working in her garden and would share her bounty with any and all. Lurene was born in Harrison County, W.V. on October 11, 1920, a daughter of Dorsey and Merle Bee Cottrill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Riley “Doc” Gower. Herman died August 19, 1985. They were joined in marriage June 25, 1937 by Rev. Arnold. Lurene was the loving mother of Mary Debnam and husband Tom of Yorktown, Va; Edward Gower and wife Veneda of Buckhannon; Pat Gower and wife Evelyn of Buckhannon; Lynn Gower and wife Mary of Buckhannon; Christina Bundrage and husband Elvis of Knoxville, T.N. Stepchildren include Marge Linger of Glen Allen, V.A. and her husband Otto, deceased. Ginny Barbour and husband Bob, both deceased of Maryland. Ruth Silvious and husband Laurence, both deceased of Virginia. Reverend Welton Gower and wife Edie, both deceased of Buckhannon. Lurene is survived by 8 grandchildren, Carol Jean Hendrickson of Yorktown, V.A.; Tim Gower of Port St. Lucie, F.L.; Shelly Hinzman of Wahiawa, Hawaii; Mary Beth Hughes of Newport News, V.A.; Joe Gower of Buckhannon; Heather Gibson of Fairmont, W.V.; Nathan Gower of Rio Rico, A.Z.; and Jasmine Bundrage of Knoxville, T.N; 13 step grandchildren, Mike, Debbie, Steve, Larry, Tom, Vanessa, Linda, Bob, Norman, Judy, Mike, Ronnie and Shirley; she is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, several step great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Lurene was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl and Ed Cottrill and three sisters Edie Gower, Polly Bailey and Wilma Cottrill. Friends may call at Poling St. Clair Funeral home Monday, January 11, 2010 from 4-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held 2 PM Tuesday at the funeral home with Reverend Ed McDaniels. Interment will follow at the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Buckhannon. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
